African violet plant named Scarlet

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of african violet named Scarlet characterized by its single, purplish red flowers with elongated and pointed petals; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves, bright green, oval to heart-shaped leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Scarlet.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 37/I and is a product of a planned breedingprogram. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in thecontrolled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. Thefemale, or seed parent was a cultivar designated C 165/XZ. The male, orpollen parent was a cultivar designated 86/z.

Scarlet was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen,West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings,as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Scarlet has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in a 10 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville,Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Scarlet, which in combination distinguishthis african violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Single purplish red flowers with elongated petals.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 7-8 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 7-10 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Bright green leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 1 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Scarlet.

Parentage:

Male parent.--86/z.

Female parent.--C 165/XZ.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough succesive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 8 cm to 10 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately21-24 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval to heart-shaped. Diameter: 60-70 mm.Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Hairy, slight serrated. Veins: Upperside:visible; underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color(upperside): Yellow-Green Group 146 A. Color (underside): Yellow-GreenGroup 148 D. Petiole: Strong upright, purplish green, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Bell-shaped, 5-7 mm just before opening, light greenwith purplish red touch. Sepals: Five (5). Color: Green. Calyx: Shape:Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strongupright, hairy. Color: Green with purplish red touch. Individualflowers: Size: approx. 40 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped (3 large and 2small petals) with elongated petals. Color (upperside): Red-Purple Group71 A. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting the colortends to intensify. Color (underside): Purple Group 71 A. Borne: Eachflower stem carries 7-10 and more flowers on strong, upright pedunclethat are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compactbouquet. Flowering Habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish white,3-4 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A. Styles: 6-7 mm long,purplish red, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Scarlet is a very attractive, vigorous grower withpurplish red flowers that contrast nicely with the bright yellowanthers. A tight bouquet of single violet-shaped flowers free standingabove the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the7-8 and more strong flower stems carries 7-10 and more single flowerswith elongated, pointed petals. The size difference between the 2 smalland the 3 large petals is striking. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping and the seed capsules push slightly through. Bright green,oval to heart-shaped leaves surround the bouquet.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of african violet named Scarlet,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itssingle, purplish red flowers with elongated and pointed petals; strong,upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form acompact bouquet above the leaves, bright green, oval to heart-shapedleaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeksafter potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.